LONDON -- Britain's highest court began hearing arguments Thursday from a woman seeking some of the money her convicted rapist won in a national lottery.

Identified only as "Mrs. A." in court documents, the 77-year-old retired school teacher is fighting a statute of limitations on civil claims, The Times of London reported.

The woman was raped in Leeds in 1988, and Iorwoth Hoare was convicted and sentenced to life in prison the following year. In 2004 while out of prison on a day pass, Hoare won more than $12 million in the lottery. He was freed on parole later that year.

While the woman has already been awarded $10,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, she filed a civil claim for more money for the assault and psychiatric injuries. Two lower courts ruled a six-year statute of limitations on civil claims has expired.

The woman's lawyers said they will tell the high court under current law, courts have discretion to extend a limitation period for bringing civil claims where the claim includes damages for personal injury, the report said.